The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-11

| granu WORD tive.
The result of that meeting was this
To form club which should last "ior-
ever" to call it the "Childrcn's Christmas
club" to have for its motto: "Frccly YOU
have received, freely give" 10 place the
membershipat 10 cents, 80 that no child
should be prevented from Joining because
he was NOT "rich;" to make no distinction
in regard TO sect or nationality; to permit
10 join the club any girl or boy under
eighteen years of age who accepted iis
principles, which were: To be ready at all
times with kind words TO assist children
less fortunate than themselves; 20 make
every year; in Christmas week, festival
OF some kind for them; TO save through the
year toys, BOOKS and games, insteadoi care
lessly destroying them; 10 save, and when
ever practicable, put I'M good repair all out
grown clothing TO beg nothing from any
source, but TO keep, as the keystone OF the
club, the word give" 10 pay every year n
tax OF 10 cents; and Ia make their first
festival in the city hall on Thursday, De-
ccmbcr .s 1882.
Then came the choosing Of officers, with
the idea that the chief officers should be
grown persons His honor the mayor OF
Portland, was elected president Of the
Childrcn's Christmas club. Others, ladies
and gentlemen, were chosen for vice prcsi-
dent, treasurer, secretary, executive COM
mittee, etc.
The following Saturday morning brought
10 the hall, first, n meeting Of grown per-
sons, who offered their stronger hands,
wiser heads, and deepcrpurscs in the work
the children had undertaken; but agreed
that all children could do should be lett 10
them. And grand support did these
"cldcR' form, who stood ready in the
background a. give their strength, who
quietly inclosed their willing contributions
10 the executive committee, with best
wishes for the Childrcn's Christmas club. ="
Instead OF 100 children, 800 came 10 rcccp-
ton hall, cargcr to join the club. After
addresses by the president and Others,
childrcn's committees were appointed and
their work explained TO them. As the
children passed out in single file, each was
registered, and received from the secretary
u card Of membership.
Let III skip the busy days OF preparation,
when the secretary OF the Children's
Christmas club recorded 200 names;
when the Park Street school sent in the
names Of 100 members who brought TO
their teacher books, toys and clothing, 10
be- sent to the city hall; when comfortably
clad children came through the city bring
ing in their slcighs, on their sleds, in their
arms, bundles OF clothing and toys, baskets
OF provisions, books, slcds, skates much
that WIS dear 10 them given in the spirit
Of true charity.
One child could bring ''only plate Of
biscuits another "a dozen apples ior the
dinner" ono had no toys at home, but
brought fve-ccnt piccc she had treas
urcd Ito buy somcthin' for some little
icller that hasn't nothin';" one took all
her money and brought 10 her Sunday
school teacher painted candy bird cage,
and said II want il Ia 60 on the tree ior
some child poorer'n me-"
And how were the children invited
those children who were 10 be the guests
Of the club? Six hundred invitations were
printed. An invitation committee was
formed to distribute these invitations with
the greatest care 10 persons who would be
responsible ior every ticket that is, they
gave no invitation Ia any child without
knowing the parents or something Of the
recipients history, aud writing the child's
name on the front Of the card, with the
giycr's on the back.
For three days before the festival, these
little guests" could come Ia the clothing
room, aud from the donations made by the
"mcmbcrs' receive bools, shoes, dresses,
hoods, trousers and jackcts--wlra,eve they
needed 10 enable them 10 present neat
and orderly appearance at the festival.
let us look into the city hall ai li30
O'Clock, on tho afternoon of Holy limo
cents day, December -. the most fitting
day for the childrcn's feast The gallery
* reserved for those members OF the club
who have no work 10 do during that after
noon. But, besides these, no other spec
taton arc admitted 10 the hall; no grown
persons, except the committees, who are
Ia assist during the festival in various
ways The stage supports n lofty tree,
decorated that morning 10y the members,
while ON the tables behind are hcapcd
presents for 600 children. Around the
cdgr ct the hall scticcs have been placed
Tor the guests, while the entire center Is
converted into u banquet hall
Thirty long tables nre loaded with all
that makes Christmas dinners the best In
the year. Ten plates are laid nj each side
Of these tables A lady IL standing nt the
iOoi ul every table, member of the club
stands NJ either side ~ waiter to see
that no guest lacks anything In the ante
/ room the reception committee, consisting
/ Of fifteen boys and fifteen girls, under the
! direction Of a gentleman who has con.
/ scented Ia take vhlp,r ot the guests, awaits
the arrivals Looking down the broad
] siaipaso W. see the lower hall filled with
/ children whose eager upturncd faces ar
/ UVarl enough iur all thc labor. Soon the
GOO have had hats aud cap- aud cloak.
safely checked, and are marhaled IN thirty
lines ui twenty, zach line headed by on,
Of the reception committee. The door.
aw thrown open. the baud PLAYS u march,
and the long PROGRESSION files in twenty
girls, then twenty boys, up and
down. IN and out, through IN,
slN long nislcs, between the tables
aud twice around the hall before tho la-
one has entered such n line oi faces
bcaming with ioy or timid with bcNildcrt
awe; rough hair smooth today, grim,
hands clcanly scrubbed: M harsh words
no iu-tlng, no disorder, M rank after mnl
enter, and the quick eyes take IN IN,
beauty OF the Christmas gurlands, IN,
towering trcc, and, best of all, the goo.
will and love mdating from every face
Among the presents sent In WA larr
doll, handsomely dressed, TO which wa
pinned this note
~ them ban, uiuc lnic rlh ut The festival
ths doll Il iut her"
As the line wound along, n tender muir
mur ran through the hall, for thcrc, lean
ing upon cruichcs, came lame girl, an,
every little boy and Girl whispered ON th
instant. That doll Is for herr The chill